Ah, the misadventures of youth! Fresh out of university and so full of energy, optimism and passion.

I couldn’t help but see some of myself in Art Bechstein, the narrator of Mysteries. Just out of university with the promise of a whole world out there crammed with love, sex, adventure. It’s so 80s. But in a good way (it was published in the 80s so it’s earnest in its energy). I need more optimism in my life. The optimism isn’t naïve, but it is an identifiable young sort.

The book explores sexuality and love in very honest, often sensitive, ways. Chabon also has a heck of an ear for dialogue, which made the conversations a breeze to follow. The characters carried with them the scent of uncertainty and identity-formation that I see with me and my social groups—people in their twenties still trying to figure it all out. I read this at the perfect time.

This being said, I wish Chabon would slow down a little. It’s pacy and that’s a boon, but some of the more ponderous and emotional moments weren’t treated with a carefulness they deserved before we’re racing off to the next thing.

That being said, this is still an accessible and fun read with good writing, characters, and grounded feeling to it. Would’ve made a good film (not the 2009 one–we’ll quietly ignore that).

The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert [4/5 stars]

For a book with such a gloomy title, this read was a far more pleasant than it could have been.

Before we get into it, though, I should explain: in the history of animals, there have been five extinction events where all life was nearly wiped out. With the way certain flora and fauna are dying out, we may be heading to our next one. This time a man-made extinction, the first animals have had an active role in such an event.

Sound heavy? Well good because IT’S ALL OUR FAULT … except, it is and it isn’t. Global warming, sure. For example, there are fungi-related deaths because spores from one country travel across the ocean to other countries because they’ve dispersed onto boats and planes and the like, with the new country’s fauna poorly adapted to fight what is ostensibly new for them. While you could point the finger at us, some of the fallout of wildlife is also accidental.

Where a book on such a topic could have been sombre, judgemental, even heartbreaking, it reads with a passion for understanding and curiosity. Kolbert writes in serious but fluid prose and never once is boring. You can tell she’s a reporter first. And that interest carries forward the main thrust of the book. It also offers an insight of a possible world where we no longer exist—something of a comfort to me, not a fear. I’m talking many, many years from now.

Read this book! I guarantee you’ll walk out of the experience having learned something interesting about the world.